The prologue of Brave Hearts begins with the Fighting Demon, Seo Jeongjin, visiting an orphanage in order to take on a disciple.
And at that orphanage…
「Seo Jeongjin」
—You have the talent of a Hunter.
He meets Kang Hanbyeol.
In the game, their meeting was described as follows.
「He felt sorry for the children, but there was not a single one who satisfied him. Seo Jeongjin had no choice but to turn away then and there.」
…(omitted)….
「Seo Jeongjin suddenly stopped in his tracks. Ignoring the orphanage director’s confusion, he turned toward the flower bed.」
「It was not as though he had some particular purpose. No, if there was one, it was intuition. He had simply followed where his instincts led him.」
…(omitted)….
「Beyond there lay what he was looking for. Seo Jeongjin was drawn by an indescribable, unknowable feeling.」
「Thus, their meeting was a simple coincidence, and at the same time, in a certain sense, it could be called inevitable.」
An old man who looked like a bandit, who had lived obsessed with killing monsters.
And a boy who had lost his family in an accident, survived alone, and shut the door to his heart.
In a world where spring flower petals scattered through the air, the scene of their first meeting was remarkably memorable.
So memorable that I still remembered it even now.
「Seo Jeongjin」
—I will make you the strongest Hunter.
And so Seo Jeongjin adopted Kang Hanbyeol and taught him everything he had achieved.
From then on, scenes rapidly passed by of Kang Hanbyeol, with his dead eyes, living with Seo Jeongjin, undergoing training, and growing into someone worthy of being the protagonist.
Several years passed like that…
「Seo Jeongjin」
—There is nothing more I can teach you. The rest, you will have no choice but to go out into the world and realize for yourself.
The year Kang Hanbyeol turned seventeen.
Seo Jeongjin ordered him to descend the mountain.
「Kang Hanbyeol」
—I offer you my gratitude, Master. I will do my utmost so that I will not bring shame to being your disciple, and so that I may let the people of the world know that you were a great Hunter!
The prologue ends there.
After that, Kang Hanbyeol heads to the Academy City and enrolls in the Academy.
The game begins at that point.
With a foundation that allows him to grow rapidly after learning all manner of combat arts from Seo Jeongjin.
And with a personality that has risen above the pain of his past, showing a spirit that does not yield to hardship.
* * *
‘He must be getting put through the wringer right about now.’
As I recalled the game’s prologue, I smiled bitterly.
If I had my way, I would have liked to meet Kang Hanbyeol and help him grow, but unfortunately, I decided to suppress that desire.
Until the main story began, it would be fine to leave Kang Hanbyeol to Seo Jeongjin.
‘If I meet Kang Hanbyeol for no reason, I might end up influencing the formation of his personality and twisting the story.’
He was different from Yeon Haneul.
Although Yeon Haneul appeared as a mid-boss with her own separate ending, strangely enough, she did not occupy much of the story.
Even if Yeon Haneul’s story was removed, it would not cause a major change to the overall flow.
On the other hand, approaching the protagonist Kang Hanbyeol, who was intertwined with every part of the story, required special caution.
At the very least, it was better not to get involved during this period, when Kang Hanbyeol’s personality was changing.
That was my judgment.
‘It’s already more than enough managing Haneul, and I’m so busy growing stronger myself that I could die. How am I supposed to worry about that too?’
Of course, there was that reason as well.
In any case, I had been curious about how Kang Hanbyeol was doing and had thought about asking my father to find out, but it seemed I had been spared the trouble.
Meanwhile, the people in the banquet hall looked quite shaken.
“Family Head, is that true?”
“The Fighting Demon took on a disciple…”
“That Fighting Demon?”
“Whose family is the child from?”
If one were to name the rising powerhouses among the Hunters of Grandfather’s generation, the Fighting Demon was a figure who would inevitably be mentioned alongside the current heads of the Ten Great Families.
Since that very Fighting Demon had taken on a disciple, it was only natural that people would be curious.
Grandfather replied.
“I believe he said the child’s name was Kang Hanbyeol. Two years ago, he adopted the boy from an orphanage and took him on as his disciple.”
“If he is not a child from any family, then I suppose that means the Fighting Demon has not tied himself to another family.”
“That man, who hates being bound, would never do such a thing. That must be why he adopted a child with no background at all. No, perhaps he wanted to raise a child untouched by anyone else.”
“How old is the child?”
“They say he turned twelve this year.”
“In that case… a few of the children here will end up competing with him in the Academy City.”
“Yes, that will be so.”
“Those around ten to fourteen, then.”
Among the direct descendants of the Divine Sword Do Family, my eldest uncle was considered the most likely to become the next family head.
When my eldest uncle spoke as their representative, Grandfather nodded.
Then he turned his gaze toward everyone present.
“That man also relayed this to me. He said we should see who is stronger between his disciple and the children of our family.”
“…”
“It is a childish and obvious provocation, but that does not mean we can refuse to accept it. I believe our family must be far superior to any other family. Naturally, superior to that man’s disciple as well.”
At this point, there was no way not to realize it.
I could predict what Grandfather would say next.
“So I have high expectations for those of you who will compete against that man’s disciple.”
“…”
“I hope you will show a bearing befitting the prestige of the Divine Sword Do Family.”
“Yes… We will keep that in mind, Family Head…”
Just as expected.
Grandfather smiled as he gave that instruction.
Ten to fourteen years old.
The expressions of those who would meet Kang Hanbyeol in the Academy City were not very good.
They responded reluctantly.
‘This same situation must be happening in the other families too.’
I also followed along with their answer.
But I was not flustered.
As someone who knew the flow of the game, I had long since known that things would turn out this way.
The Fighting Demon had probably spread the news that he had taken on a disciple not only to the Divine Sword Do Family, but to the other families as well, provoking them.
Because of that, in the game, Kang Hanbyeol receives the attention of the prestigious families from the moment he enrolls.
‘That’s how he gets entangled with people from those families, and how quarrels often break out…’
Should I call it the fate of a protagonist, for whom incidents and accidents never cease?
There would be no days of easy rest for him.
Naturally, as Kang Hanbyeol’s party member, I would also…
Damn it.
“Sieun, if it is you, I believe you will do well.”
“I will do my best to live up to your expectations.”
“And Seungwoo.”
“Yes, Family Head!”
Come to think of it, Grandfather had originally been in the middle of giving Do Seungwoo words of encouragement.
At that moment, Grandfather called him.
The one whose name had been called straightened his back and assumed a proper posture.
“You are the same age as the Fighting Demon’s disciple, so you will likely have many occasions to become involved with him. You should show him what you are made of.”
“…Yes! I will show him what I am made of!”
Perhaps he was happy to receive Grandfather’s recognition.
Do Seungwoo thumped his own chest and answered confidently.
‘Then he’ll get crushed by Kang Hanbyeol and lose his place in the family…’
He had no idea what his fate was, yet he was swaggering.
Watching him, I clicked my tongue.
He went even further there.
“There is one teaching my father gave me, Family Head!”
“Oh? Shall I hear what Beomjun taught you?”
“Yes, Family Head!”
My third uncle’s nose rose proudly.
Drunk on Grandfather’s recognition, Do Seungwoo opened his mouth.
“They say a lion uses all its strength even when catching a single rabbit! Just like that saying, no matter who my opponent is, I intend to fight with all my strength without letting my guard down!”
“Yes, indeed, one must never let one’s guard—”
Pfft!
“…”
Ah, damn.
I ended up choking.
What Do Seungwoo had said so confidently was so funny, and so absurd, that while drinking water, I reacted without meaning to.
As a result.
‘Ah, shit… I’m screwed.’
By the time I barely managed to suppress my laughter, everyone’s gazes were pouring down on me.
Grandfather was looking at me too.
“Was there something funny?”
“…”
“Let me laugh as well.”
Not only had I interrupted the family head, I had laughed while the family head was speaking.
Though Grandfather asked gently, if I got swept up in the atmosphere and answered lightly, I was almost certain to get scolded.
“You, again…”
Father let out a small sigh.
Then he tried to explain the situation on my behalf while I was at a loss.
“Family Head, Gyeonwoo was drinking water and…”
“I asked Gyeonwoo.”
“…”
“I would like you to tell me, Gyeonwoo.”
Father’s words did not work at all.
Grandfather still wore a gentle expression as he waited for my answer.
‘Whatever. I don’t know anymore.’
There was no choice.
I would just let things happen as they would.
If I got scolded, then I got scolded.
I decided to speak honestly.
“What Seungwoo said was funny.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Grandfather tilted his head.
Fortunately, it did not seem to have angered him.
Rather, he seemed curious about what I had said and was urging me to answer.
I decided to continue.
“They say a lion uses all its strength when catching a single rabbit, but would a huge lion really try to use all its strength just to fill its stomach with one rabbit? That felt a bit strange to me.”
“Say more.”
“No, to put it bluntly…”
“…”
“If a lion is in a situation where it has to use all its strength just to catch one rabbit, wouldn’t that mean its situation is already extremely dangerous?”
“Family Head! Do Gyeonwoo is spouting nonsense—”
“I did not ask you, Seungwoo.”
“…I apologize.”
“Go on.”
“In my opinion… yes, the moment a lion tries to catch a rabbit, that lion is already as good as finished. But he said it so confidently that I found it a little funny.”
“…”
“If I have offended you in any way, Family Head, then I offer my sincere apologies.”
“…”
Even if I was going to be scolded, I should at least say what I wanted to say.
Shaking off Father’s attempt to stop me, I spoke proudly to Grandfather even as the others sighed.
Grandfather showed no reaction even after hearing my words.
Just when I thought that…
“Haha! How very unexpected!”
“…”
All of a sudden.
Grandfather burst into loud laughter.
His laughter was so loud that before long, it filled the entire banquet hall.
The people of the family looked at Grandfather with stunned expressions.
Soon, Grandfather stopped laughing.
“Yes… Your words have a point. If a lion, the king of beasts, uses all its strength to catch a single rabbit, then the lion’s life is as good as over.”
“…”
“I will ponder what you said today and reflect on whether it applies to me as well.”
“Uh… I don’t think there is any need for that… Family Head, you are still hale and hearty.”
“Thank you for saying so. However, I find the lesson valuable: to constantly look back upon oneself and remain vigilant as to whether one has grown weak.”
…That was not the intention behind what I said, though.
Grandfather, who had arbitrarily added meaning to my words, looked extremely satisfied.
With him like that, it was hard to say anything more.
‘It seems I’ve gained Grandfather’s favor, so I’ll just let it be.’
It would be strange to go out of my way to explain.
I decided to let it pass in a positive way.
Meanwhile, suddenly feeling someone’s gaze, I looked toward the table across from me.
“Do Gyeonwoo…”
My third uncle and Do Seungwoo’s faces were flushed red.
Their gazes stung.
‘I definitely shouldn’t explain.’
Seeing them frustrated put me in a good mood.
So, feeling their gazes on me, I chewed my meat deliciously.
* * *
Before I knew it, it was time for Grandfather to ask our family how we had been.
Unlike with the other families, however, Grandfather did not say much to ours.
“Has there been no problem with the Songpa-gu branch?”
“Daughter-in-law, take care of your health.”
It was because my parents had fallen out of favor, and they did not have any topic that might catch Grandfather’s interest.
It happened every time.
My parents showed no reaction to the perfunctory questions about their recent situation and ended the conversation.
Mother seemed relieved to have ended the conversation without incident.
At last, when my turn approached.
“Come to think of it, I have not said this yet. I am thinking of holding this evaluation match inside a Gate.”
With his gaze turned toward me,
Grandfather spoke as though for everyone present to hear.
At that, the people began murmuring once more.
“To hold it inside a Gate…”
“What will the rank be?”
The age of those participating in the evaluation was set between 8 and 16.
It was an age full of immaturity.
Because of this, those with children in that age range were voicing their concerns.
And in such a situation….
“I intend to make it Yellow.”
“Yellow?”
“My lord, that is rather….”
When Grandfather announced that they would attempt Yellow Gates—the rank above White and Gray—the people could not help but be troubled.
At that, Grandfather let out a short laugh.
“I know what you’re thinking, so don’t worry too much.”
“….”
“The evaluation will be conducted within gates cleared by the clan’s Hunters, under guaranteed safety. However, that does not mean complete safety can be assured. Therefore, participation in this evaluation shall be left to each individual’s discretion.”
“Discretion… you say?”
“Instead….”
Grandfather paused for a moment, fixing his gaze on those of age to participate in the evaluation.
I was among them.
“Among those who undertake the evaluation, I intend to bestow one of the treasures held by the clan upon whoever lives up to my expectations.”
“…!”
To think he would give away a treasure held by the clan.
It was quite a groundbreaking condition.
It was enough to surprise everyone.
I was of much the same mind.
‘What’s this about? Did he decide to go all out this time after hearing the news about Tugwi?’
That might very well be the case.
There was a high possibility that the news of Tugwi taking a disciple had ignited Grandfather’s competitive spirit.
It was at that very moment.
“But, Gyeonu.”
“Yes?”
While explaining about the evaluation,
Grandfather suddenly called out to me.
Soon, my eyes met his.
“I would very much like you to participate. I wish to see with my own eyes how you defeated Seungu, and how much you have grown during that time.”
“….”
I’m marked.
I suppose I really am the target.
Though Grandfather’s tone was soft, his words carried an undertone that could not be refused.
It was the Patriarch’s order.
I had to obey that order.
“Yes, please watch me.”
“Good. I shall be waiting in anticipation.”
It happened to work out perfectly.
I had been racking my brains to obtain the Courage skill anyway.
[The target’s rank is too high.]
[The status window cannot be viewed.]
But if I asked Grandfather—who radiated pressure and was of such high rank that he couldn’t even be checked through the status window—I might be able to gain Courage.
To do so, this was the perfect opportunity to draw Grandfather’s attention.
I could not let that opportunity pass.
‘And if I do well, I might even obtain a treasure from the clan’s vault….’
Truly, it was killing two birds with one stone; one move, two gains.
The corners of my mouth lifted.
And so the dinner banquet came to an end….
“Then let us move elsewhere.”
The evaluation began.
I became the mid-boss’s childhood friend.